Heidelberg Technology Boosts Productivity, Quality for Printers Nationwide
01/31/2008
Kennesaw, Ga. - Heidelberg USA announces the following new
product installations:
New Heidelberg Equipment Leaves Daily Printing's Customers, Employees Smiling
A host of new Heidelberg equipment installed last fall - including a Suprasetter MCL 105 platesetter, Prinect workflow solutions and a POLAR 137 XT cutter with autotrim - has led to improved productivity at Daily Printing in Plymouth, Minn. "Jobs are ripping faster and our customers and press operators love Prinect Hybrid Screening," said Dan Sandvik, vice president, production. "Plates are running better than ever, and we are now using Heidelberg's Saphira Thermoplate NA plates." Daily's new PACE (POLAR Automated Cutting for Efficiency) system from Heidelberg takes automation, safety and operator comfort to new levels, with a stack lift, jogger, scale, the cutter itself and a Transomat offloader. To evaluate the new PACE system, Sandvik sent an operator to Heidelberg's U.S. headquarters near Atlanta. "After the demonstration, we performed a work-time study and decided it was the right move for us," Sandvik said. "The new system was accepted well by our operators because of the great ergonomics." Thanks to the Heidelberg Prinect workflow system, two out of Daily's three cutters are fully automated with POLAR Compucut software into the shop's workflow. Sandvik plans to automate his entire shop, including the Heidelberg folder and stitcher equipment in the bindery, after exploring Heidelberg's postpress automation options this summer at drupa 2008. "The operators on the PACE system thank me every couple of weeks for installing it," Sandvik said. "They can put in a really productive day and not have to drag themselves out the door. It's a lot easier on the body." Founded in 1950, Daily Printing has 110 employees, four Heidelberg presses and an array of cutters, stitchers and folders from Heidelberg.
Delmarva Printing Celebrates Grand Opening with Heidelberg Solutions
Supporting and investing in the local community is a top priority for Gary Crescenze, president of the brand-new Delmarva Printing in Salisbury, Md. The 18 employees of Delmarva Printing are so confident that the company will succeed that one-third of them have invested in the business. Heidelberg sales representative John DiAngelo has also been confident in Delmarva Printing since day one. "John has jumped through hoops for us," Crescenze said. "Heidelberg was one of few companies that would deal with a small start-up company that needed this much equipment." Crescenze's 27 years of industry experience taught him that Heidelberg equipment is reliable and durable, so he turned to Heidelberg to outfit every area of his print shop, from prepress through the bindery. "Heidelberg is the industry standard and our customers are very supportive and very happy that we have chosen to use Heidelberg throughout our shop," Vice President of marketing & sales Pete Brown said. Delmarva Printing already has installed a Suprasetter A 74 platesetter along with a complete digital front-end Prinect system in the chemical-free prepress area, which includes use of Saphira Chemfree plates from Heidelberg. The company is running two remarketed Heidelberg presses, a 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 with aqueous coater, perfecter and extended delivery, as well as a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 press and Heidelberg consumables in all areas of the shop. "The SM 74 press honestly runs better than some brand new presses I've seen," Brown said. "These presses are cost-effective and offer sturdy, solid high-quality results." The bindery at Delmarva includes a new POLAR 115 X cutter, new Stahlfolder B 26 and Stahlfolder B 20 folders, and a remarketed Stitchmaster ST 90 6-pocket saddlestitcher. Delmarva Printing serves local and regional nonprofits, agencies, industrial companies and small business customers.
Sunset Press Poised for More Growth with Speedmaster SM 74 Press from Heidelberg
When Sunset Press in Austin, Texas, moved into its brand new, 24,000-sqare-foot facility in December, the company's President David Bristow installed a new Heidelberg 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 press as an integral part of his retooled shop - and saw an immediate increase in productivity. "Between the automatic Vario hickey-picking function and prepress interface technology, we have increased productivity by 25 percent - and it may be even more in the future," Bristow said. "Our jobs simply run cleaner. And because they run cleaner, we are able to focus on job excellence and higher run speeds." Thanks to productivity increases and Heidelberg's reputation, Sunset Press has added several new clients over the past few weeks and now has more sales capacity than ever. "Because of the speed and accuracy of this machine, we now have the ability to meet the demands of our increasing workload." Bristow said. Sunset was started in a garage in 1989; now the company employees 16 individuals and has experienced a 28 percent annual growth rate over the last few years. The relocation and retooling of the company are all part of Sunset's ambitious growth plan to service a burgeoning base of local, regional and national clients. "Our Heidelberg advisor, Glen McClaugherty, actually assisted with our business plan," Bristow said. "He partnered with us to study our needs and gave sound advice to help us achieve our growth goals." In addition to the Speedmaster SM 74 press, which includes a perfecter and a coater, Sunset also runs a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 - and plans to add a 5-color Speedmaster SM 52 before the year is out. According to Bristow, the company looked at several machines before choosing the new Heidelberg SM 74 press. "We knew it was a great machine and our test comparisons proved it, but the staff at Heidelberg and their service model made it an easy decision."
Haapanen Brothers Inc. Trusts Heidelberg Technology to Advance in 2008
A new Heidelberg Suprasetter MCL 105 platesetter and a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 press were recently installed as part of an aggressive growth plan for Haapanen Brothers Inc. of Gurnee, Ill. Owner Jerry Haapanen is committed to investing in the latest technology in all areas of his shop, and credits his new Heidelberg equipment for giving him a lead over his competition. "The technology on the platesetter and all of our Heidelberg presses is top of the line," Haapanen said. "Upgrading to Heidelberg's latest technology allows us to get jobs out the door faster than our competitors, giving us a true advantage in the marketplace." The company offers a wide array of general commercial products to its customers, and plans to continue to expand its portfolio in 2008. The Suprasetter MCL 105 platesetter has completely automated the prepress area for Haapanen Brothers, which also uses Heidelberg's Saphira Thermoplate PN plates. "When the job is sent from our prepress, the Suprasetter processes the job without any need for human intervention," Haapanen said. "Just last week we processed more than 100 plates in one day on the Suprasetter. The technology is phenomenal." Meanwhile, the Printmaster QM 46 press replaced two older competitive presses, and make-ready time has greatly decreased since the press was installed. The Printmaster QM 46 joins an already impressive collection of top-line Heidelberg solutions at Haapanen Brothers, beginning with a full suite of Prinect workflow solutions and including a 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 with coater, a 6-color Speedmaster XL 105, a 2-color Speedmaster CD 102 with perfector, and a 4-color Quickmaster DI press. In the next few months, the company has plans to install another Heidelberg Speedmaster press, a POLAR PACE cutting system, as well as its first Stahlfolder folder from Heidelberg. Along with its 70 employees, Haapanen Brothers will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and looks forward to continued growth and success in 2008.
Apex Commercial Printing Upgrades with All-Heidelberg Prepress, Pressroom and Bindery Solutions
Apex Commercial Printing in Atlanta, Ga. recently tripled its capacity by upgrading to more advanced Heidelberg technology in prepress, press and postpress. The installation of a new POLAR 115 X cutter and a Suprasetter E 105 platesetter in September complemented the August 2007 introduction of a refurbished 6-color Speedmaster CD 102 with aqueous coater to the trade printer's already thriving pressroom. Arif Siddiq, president of the all-Heidelberg shop, caters to his loyal customer base to achieve success. "Many of our customers requested larger jobs that we couldn't handle simply because we didn't have the capacity for 40-inch work," Siddiq said. "We upgraded to the CD 102 press, along with the larger format POLAR cutter and Suprasetter E105, so every area of the shop can now handle large-format work with the highest quality that our customers are used to." Apex also uses Saphira Chemfree plates from Heidelberg. The company began in 1995 with a 2-color GTO from Heidelberg, and has stuck with Heidelberg equipment ever since. Apex Commercial Printing also runs a 5-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74 with coater in its pressroom together with the 6-color Speedmaster CD 102, along with a full prepress department and bindery of Heidelberg solutions. "The expansion of our capabilities we gained from our new equipment will enable us to increase our business in 2008 by at least 75 percent," Siddiq said.
G. H. Dean Printing Addresses Growing Demand with New Speedmaster SM 102 Perfector
George H. Dean Printing, Braintree, Mass., reports the addition of a fully automated 40" Speedmaster SM 102 perfector with aqueous coater to its all-Heidelberg pressroom. The installation is intended to help the company meet the growing demands of its commercial print and direct mail business. Founded in 1889, the third-generation, family-owned company has been a Heidelberg customer "for as long as I can remember," says CEO Ken Michaud. The new press replaces an older 6-color press in G.H. Dean's pressroom lineup, which also includes a second 6-color SM 102 perfector, a 36" Heidelberg-Harris V30 4-unit non-heatset web press, a pair of 36" 2-color Heidelberg SORDZ offset presses and a 1-color Heidelberg GTO. "We expect the new press to be twice as productive as our older machine, and believe the coater will enable us to turn more jobs in a shorter time. It was the high degree of automation on the new press that really sealed the deal for us. Our pressmen are excited about the installation and eager to get into full production." With 65 employees, G. H. Dean serves a regional clientele comprised of advertising agencies, marketing, financial services and healthcare companies, nonprofits, banks and law firms.
Westland Printers, Inc. Sees Immediate Gains from Speedmaster XL 105 from Heidelberg
Westland Printers experienced immediate production and sales gains when it installed a new 6-color Speedmaster XL 105 press from Heidelberg last September. "We are doing more with one machine now than we were doing with two machines before," said President Matt Flippen. "We ran 25 percent more impressions in November than in any month prior." Westland Printers, A Consolidated Graphics' commercial print shop based in Burtonsville, Md., and operating since 1929, has grown to 60 employees and 12 million dollars in annual business. "We definitely saw much stronger November and December sales than we have historically experienced," Flippen said. "We were able to target some longer-run work that we wouldn't have been able to produce in the past." Westland has traditionally been a Heidelberg shop, and Flippen said the high 18,000 impressions-per-hour real production speed and technology advances of the XL 105 were key factors in his decision to stick with Heidelberg. The new press operates alongside three additional Heidelberg Speedmaster presses and feeds into a bindery that includes a POLAR cutter and Heidelberg die-cutting equipment. "In terms of getting the work through the shop, we're not the choke point any more," said pressroom manager Mike Brynes. "The Speedmaster XL 105 has changed the demands of my time. I'm able to focus on efficiencies and finding production advantages instead of troubleshooting and problem solving. Thanks to this press, my stress level has drastically decreased."
San Diego Print Shop Installs POLAR Cutter to Boost Bindery Results
RR Donnelley Commercial Press Plant has inaugurated the latest in POLAR cutting technology from Heidelberg to advance production in its bindery. The shop has always run POLAR cutters, and the addition of a POLAR 137 XT with Autotrim is no exception. "We have always been a POLAR shop," said Plant Manager Jim Rosenberg. "We replaced an older cutter with the POLAR 137 XT and the results so far have been great." The cutter is a high-speed programmable model, able to process paper, paperboard, cardboard and plastic at sizes with diagonals of up to 137 centimeters. Since its installation in late 2007, the POLAR 137 XT cutter allows for increased capacity and better efficiency for the shop, with up to 30 percent higher production output than previous models and automatic waste removal during cutting. With knife speeds up to 45 cycles per minute, the POLAR 137 XT features OptiKnife, with an extended operating life and greater cutting accuracy than its predecessors, while offering advanced safety features. RR Donnelley Commercial Press Plant has been in existence in San Diego since 1910, and offers full-service printing needs for customers both locally and nationally.
Walker Printing Steps Up Production with Postpress Equipment from Heidelberg
When Walker Printing, Montgomery, Ala., needed to boost the productivity of its bindery to keep pace with growing demand, the company turned to Heidelberg for superior stitching, folding and cutting solutions. Late last year, the company installed a Stitchmaster ST 350 saddlestitcher and a Stahlfolder TH 82 4-4-4 pallet-fed folder, and accessorized its POLAR 115 X guillotine cutter with an RA-4 jogger. The fully automated stitcher and folder replace older, less efficient machines, while the POLAR jogger and counter stacker enable truer cuts and reduce operator fatigue. Company Owner and President Taylor Blackwell is especially pleased with the ST 350's extensive automation and fast production speeds. Established in 1940, Walker Printing is a long-time Heidelberg customer with an all-Heidelberg press lineup that includes a 4-color Speedmaster XL 105, a 6-color SM 74 with aqueous coater, a 1-color SORDZ, a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 and a 2-color Speedmaster SM 52. The company also operates an existing pair of Stahlfolders. The second-generation, family-owned commercial printer employs 65, and serves a customer base comprised of national religious ministries, state government entities, associations and nonprofit groups.
Myprint Paces Revenue Growth with New Press and Folder from Heidelberg
Myprint Corp., Irvine, Calif., recently augmented its busy pressroom with a Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46-2. The company also added a Stahlfolder B30 folder to its bindery. The installations were intended to boost capacity after the 30 million dollar company and long-time Heidelberg customer succeeded in doubling its revenues over the past three years, growing eight million dollars in the past 12 months alone. Plant Manager Bill Hardy, who recommended the new press and folder and was responsible for integrating them into the Myprint operation, says the Heidelberg press and folder are both easy to run and easy to train on, with little time lost to technical problems. When Heidelberg expertise is needed, "Heidelberg sales and support personnel are always knowledgeable, capable, professional and prompt," Hardy says. The new equipment joins a 2-color Speedmaster SM 102 with aqueous coater, an existing Quickmaster 46-2 equipped with envelope feeder, two existing B30 folders, and a 40" POLAR 115 EMC cutting system, already in operation at Myprint. The company also has 5- and 6-color 40" capabilities. Of the company's 140 employees, 18 work in the pressroom and 12 in the bindery. Myprint serves a national customer base composed of clients in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, entertainment and hospitality, financial services, educational, retail goods and services, and technology industries.
"You Can't Buy Better": Williams Printing Cuts to the Chase with New POLAR 92 X Paper Cutter
When it came time to replace a 10-year-old paper cutter, Williams Printing in Rural Hall, NC wasted no time installing a POLAR 92 X guillotine cutter from Heidelberg. "POLAR cutters are the best in the business," says company President Kevin Williams, citing a four-fold increase in cutting productivity since the new machine was installed. "You can't buy a better or more durable cutter. We expect to run our new POLAR 92 X over the next 10-15 years with minimal service." The new cutter joins a second POLAR cutter in Williams' postpress department. The programmable high-speed cutter fits Williams Printing's medium-size format range (50 x 70 centimeters) and is able to cut semi-finished and finished products made of paper, cardstock, paperboard and plastic foils. Operators at Williams now rely on OptiKnife technology on the POLAR 92 X, and are seeing quality results. The company, which employs 15, provides a primarily regional customer base with a wide variety of high-quality, commercially printed products.
Service Printers Inc. Kicks Production Up a Notch with New Speedmaster CD 74
Service Printers Inc. recently crowned its all-Heidelberg pressroom with a 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 equipped with aqueous coater, Instant Gate, Axis Control and Prepress Interface. The new press, which replaces a 5-color Speedmaster 74, joins a lineup that already includes a 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 with aqueous coater, 2-color Speedmaster SM 74 perfector, a 4-color Heidelberg GTO, a pair of Heidelberg cylinder presses and a Quickmaster 46 press. Vice President Keith McGee reserves high praise for the CD 74's ease of use, and credits the new press with helping the company achieve a 30 percent increase in productivity. "The CD 74 gives us an opportunity to speed production and take advantage of new market opportunities based on its larger sheet size and ability to handle heavier stocks. On top of that, installation and training went extremely smoothly." With respect to service and support after the sale, McGee awards Heidelberg an A-plus grade. "Heidelberg technicians are knowledgeable, cooperative and efficient, and their response times are quick. We couldn't be more pleased." Service Printers Inc. also operates three POLAR cutters, two Stahlfolder folders, and a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 270. Established in 1962, the third-generation, family-owned commercial printer and long-time Heidelberg customer has 50 plus employees, and operates from a newly expanded and remodeled facility located in Flowood, Miss.
PS Print Experiences Cost Savings with Addition of Stitchmaster ST 450 from Heidelberg
Chris Strabley, project manager of PS Print, LLC, calls his new Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 450 saddlestitcher a "blessing." The stitcher has enhanced the speed, efficiency and automation of the postpress department for the Oakland, Calif. shop since its installation late last year. More importantly, the shop can now do 95 percent of its binding work in-house, which equals cost savings for both PS Print and its customers. "The whole process is much cleaner and more efficient than what we had before," Strabley said. "We have much more control over the binding process by minimizing outsourcing, which is a relief." The Stitchmaster ST 450 runs just beside PS Print's offset press, minimizing the time it takes to get jobs from the press into customers' hands. The saddlestitcher operates at up to 14,000 cycles per hour, and offers automatic presetting and synchronization of feeders, trimmer and stacker, all from a control touchscreen. PS Print is almost entirely Internet-based, with a large product line of four-color work available for orders across the U.S. and Canada. The company runs Heidelberg POLAR cutting equipment as well as Stahlfolder equipment, and plans to expand its bindery offerings from Heidelberg in 2008. Along with its sister plant located in Bethlehem, Pa., the company has more than 120 employees.
Heritage Printing Service Installs Heidelberg KAMA Die Cutter
After the successful installation of a new 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 with perfector and aqueous coater last fall, Heritage Printing Service focused on upgrading its bindery. The Richmond, Va. shop now proudly owns a Heidelberg KAMA TS 74-60 automatic die cutter with increased sheet dimension. Company President Bill Miles said that training is still underway for foil stamping, but that the shop is already successfully using the machine for die cutting and embossing. "This technology is a completely different animal," Miles said. "We are excited about the options that are now available to our customers with the KAMA." The half-format KAMA automatic die cutter system fits perfectly into Heritage Printing's existing equipment lineup, running jobs straight from the Speedmaster CD 74 press. As a flexible, entry-level die cutting system, the KAMA was a natural choice for Miles and the Heritage Printing team. The die cutter is already helping produce quality brochures, advertising collateral and general commercial work for customers in the Richmond area. The all-Heidelberg shop is more than 70 years old, and is a family-run business that has relied on Heidelberg equipment since it was founded.
Editorial Contact:
Manning Selvage & Lee
Rebecca Harbin
404-870-6825
E-mail: rebecca.harbin@mslpr.com
New Heidelberg Equipment Leaves Daily Printing's Customers, Employees Smiling
A host of new Heidelberg equipment installed last fall - including a Suprasetter MCL 105 platesetter, Prinect workflow solutions and a POLAR 137 XT cutter with autotrim - has led to improved productivity at Daily Printing in Plymouth, Minn. "Jobs are ripping faster and our customers and press operators love Prinect Hybrid Screening," said Dan Sandvik, vice president, production. "Plates are running better than ever, and we are now using Heidelberg's Saphira Thermoplate NA plates." Daily's new PACE (POLAR Automated Cutting for Efficiency) system from Heidelberg takes automation, safety and operator comfort to new levels, with a stack lift, jogger, scale, the cutter itself and a Transomat offloader. To evaluate the new PACE system, Sandvik sent an operator to Heidelberg's U.S. headquarters near Atlanta. "After the demonstration, we performed a work-time study and decided it was the right move for us," Sandvik said. "The new system was accepted well by our operators because of the great ergonomics." Thanks to the Heidelberg Prinect workflow system, two out of Daily's three cutters are fully automated with POLAR Compucut software into the shop's workflow. Sandvik plans to automate his entire shop, including the Heidelberg folder and stitcher equipment in the bindery, after exploring Heidelberg's postpress automation options this summer at drupa 2008. "The operators on the PACE system thank me every couple of weeks for installing it," Sandvik said. "They can put in a really productive day and not have to drag themselves out the door. It's a lot easier on the body." Founded in 1950, Daily Printing has 110 employees, four Heidelberg presses and an array of cutters, stitchers and folders from Heidelberg.
Delmarva Printing Celebrates Grand Opening with Heidelberg Solutions
Supporting and investing in the local community is a top priority for Gary Crescenze, president of the brand-new Delmarva Printing in Salisbury, Md. The 18 employees of Delmarva Printing are so confident that the company will succeed that one-third of them have invested in the business. Heidelberg sales representative John DiAngelo has also been confident in Delmarva Printing since day one. "John has jumped through hoops for us," Crescenze said. "Heidelberg was one of few companies that would deal with a small start-up company that needed this much equipment." Crescenze's 27 years of industry experience taught him that Heidelberg equipment is reliable and durable, so he turned to Heidelberg to outfit every area of his print shop, from prepress through the bindery. "Heidelberg is the industry standard and our customers are very supportive and very happy that we have chosen to use Heidelberg throughout our shop," Vice President of marketing & sales Pete Brown said. Delmarva Printing already has installed a Suprasetter A 74 platesetter along with a complete digital front-end Prinect system in the chemical-free prepress area, which includes use of Saphira Chemfree plates from Heidelberg. The company is running two remarketed Heidelberg presses, a 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 with aqueous coater, perfecter and extended delivery, as well as a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 press and Heidelberg consumables in all areas of the shop. "The SM 74 press honestly runs better than some brand new presses I've seen," Brown said. "These presses are cost-effective and offer sturdy, solid high-quality results." The bindery at Delmarva includes a new POLAR 115 X cutter, new Stahlfolder B 26 and Stahlfolder B 20 folders, and a remarketed Stitchmaster ST 90 6-pocket saddlestitcher. Delmarva Printing serves local and regional nonprofits, agencies, industrial companies and small business customers.
Sunset Press Poised for More Growth with Speedmaster SM 74 Press from Heidelberg
When Sunset Press in Austin, Texas, moved into its brand new, 24,000-sqare-foot facility in December, the company's President David Bristow installed a new Heidelberg 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 press as an integral part of his retooled shop - and saw an immediate increase in productivity. "Between the automatic Vario hickey-picking function and prepress interface technology, we have increased productivity by 25 percent - and it may be even more in the future," Bristow said. "Our jobs simply run cleaner. And because they run cleaner, we are able to focus on job excellence and higher run speeds." Thanks to productivity increases and Heidelberg's reputation, Sunset Press has added several new clients over the past few weeks and now has more sales capacity than ever. "Because of the speed and accuracy of this machine, we now have the ability to meet the demands of our increasing workload." Bristow said. Sunset was started in a garage in 1989; now the company employees 16 individuals and has experienced a 28 percent annual growth rate over the last few years. The relocation and retooling of the company are all part of Sunset's ambitious growth plan to service a burgeoning base of local, regional and national clients. "Our Heidelberg advisor, Glen McClaugherty, actually assisted with our business plan," Bristow said. "He partnered with us to study our needs and gave sound advice to help us achieve our growth goals." In addition to the Speedmaster SM 74 press, which includes a perfecter and a coater, Sunset also runs a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 - and plans to add a 5-color Speedmaster SM 52 before the year is out. According to Bristow, the company looked at several machines before choosing the new Heidelberg SM 74 press. "We knew it was a great machine and our test comparisons proved it, but the staff at Heidelberg and their service model made it an easy decision."
Haapanen Brothers Inc. Trusts Heidelberg Technology to Advance in 2008
A new Heidelberg Suprasetter MCL 105 platesetter and a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 press were recently installed as part of an aggressive growth plan for Haapanen Brothers Inc. of Gurnee, Ill. Owner Jerry Haapanen is committed to investing in the latest technology in all areas of his shop, and credits his new Heidelberg equipment for giving him a lead over his competition. "The technology on the platesetter and all of our Heidelberg presses is top of the line," Haapanen said. "Upgrading to Heidelberg's latest technology allows us to get jobs out the door faster than our competitors, giving us a true advantage in the marketplace." The company offers a wide array of general commercial products to its customers, and plans to continue to expand its portfolio in 2008. The Suprasetter MCL 105 platesetter has completely automated the prepress area for Haapanen Brothers, which also uses Heidelberg's Saphira Thermoplate PN plates. "When the job is sent from our prepress, the Suprasetter processes the job without any need for human intervention," Haapanen said. "Just last week we processed more than 100 plates in one day on the Suprasetter. The technology is phenomenal." Meanwhile, the Printmaster QM 46 press replaced two older competitive presses, and make-ready time has greatly decreased since the press was installed. The Printmaster QM 46 joins an already impressive collection of top-line Heidelberg solutions at Haapanen Brothers, beginning with a full suite of Prinect workflow solutions and including a 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 with coater, a 6-color Speedmaster XL 105, a 2-color Speedmaster CD 102 with perfector, and a 4-color Quickmaster DI press. In the next few months, the company has plans to install another Heidelberg Speedmaster press, a POLAR PACE cutting system, as well as its first Stahlfolder folder from Heidelberg. Along with its 70 employees, Haapanen Brothers will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and looks forward to continued growth and success in 2008.
Apex Commercial Printing Upgrades with All-Heidelberg Prepress, Pressroom and Bindery Solutions
Apex Commercial Printing in Atlanta, Ga. recently tripled its capacity by upgrading to more advanced Heidelberg technology in prepress, press and postpress. The installation of a new POLAR 115 X cutter and a Suprasetter E 105 platesetter in September complemented the August 2007 introduction of a refurbished 6-color Speedmaster CD 102 with aqueous coater to the trade printer's already thriving pressroom. Arif Siddiq, president of the all-Heidelberg shop, caters to his loyal customer base to achieve success. "Many of our customers requested larger jobs that we couldn't handle simply because we didn't have the capacity for 40-inch work," Siddiq said. "We upgraded to the CD 102 press, along with the larger format POLAR cutter and Suprasetter E105, so every area of the shop can now handle large-format work with the highest quality that our customers are used to." Apex also uses Saphira Chemfree plates from Heidelberg. The company began in 1995 with a 2-color GTO from Heidelberg, and has stuck with Heidelberg equipment ever since. Apex Commercial Printing also runs a 5-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74 with coater in its pressroom together with the 6-color Speedmaster CD 102, along with a full prepress department and bindery of Heidelberg solutions. "The expansion of our capabilities we gained from our new equipment will enable us to increase our business in 2008 by at least 75 percent," Siddiq said.
G. H. Dean Printing Addresses Growing Demand with New Speedmaster SM 102 Perfector
George H. Dean Printing, Braintree, Mass., reports the addition of a fully automated 40" Speedmaster SM 102 perfector with aqueous coater to its all-Heidelberg pressroom. The installation is intended to help the company meet the growing demands of its commercial print and direct mail business. Founded in 1889, the third-generation, family-owned company has been a Heidelberg customer "for as long as I can remember," says CEO Ken Michaud. The new press replaces an older 6-color press in G.H. Dean's pressroom lineup, which also includes a second 6-color SM 102 perfector, a 36" Heidelberg-Harris V30 4-unit non-heatset web press, a pair of 36" 2-color Heidelberg SORDZ offset presses and a 1-color Heidelberg GTO. "We expect the new press to be twice as productive as our older machine, and believe the coater will enable us to turn more jobs in a shorter time. It was the high degree of automation on the new press that really sealed the deal for us. Our pressmen are excited about the installation and eager to get into full production." With 65 employees, G. H. Dean serves a regional clientele comprised of advertising agencies, marketing, financial services and healthcare companies, nonprofits, banks and law firms.
Westland Printers, Inc. Sees Immediate Gains from Speedmaster XL 105 from Heidelberg
Westland Printers experienced immediate production and sales gains when it installed a new 6-color Speedmaster XL 105 press from Heidelberg last September. "We are doing more with one machine now than we were doing with two machines before," said President Matt Flippen. "We ran 25 percent more impressions in November than in any month prior." Westland Printers, A Consolidated Graphics' commercial print shop based in Burtonsville, Md., and operating since 1929, has grown to 60 employees and 12 million dollars in annual business. "We definitely saw much stronger November and December sales than we have historically experienced," Flippen said. "We were able to target some longer-run work that we wouldn't have been able to produce in the past." Westland has traditionally been a Heidelberg shop, and Flippen said the high 18,000 impressions-per-hour real production speed and technology advances of the XL 105 were key factors in his decision to stick with Heidelberg. The new press operates alongside three additional Heidelberg Speedmaster presses and feeds into a bindery that includes a POLAR cutter and Heidelberg die-cutting equipment. "In terms of getting the work through the shop, we're not the choke point any more," said pressroom manager Mike Brynes. "The Speedmaster XL 105 has changed the demands of my time. I'm able to focus on efficiencies and finding production advantages instead of troubleshooting and problem solving. Thanks to this press, my stress level has drastically decreased."
San Diego Print Shop Installs POLAR Cutter to Boost Bindery Results
RR Donnelley Commercial Press Plant has inaugurated the latest in POLAR cutting technology from Heidelberg to advance production in its bindery. The shop has always run POLAR cutters, and the addition of a POLAR 137 XT with Autotrim is no exception. "We have always been a POLAR shop," said Plant Manager Jim Rosenberg. "We replaced an older cutter with the POLAR 137 XT and the results so far have been great." The cutter is a high-speed programmable model, able to process paper, paperboard, cardboard and plastic at sizes with diagonals of up to 137 centimeters. Since its installation in late 2007, the POLAR 137 XT cutter allows for increased capacity and better efficiency for the shop, with up to 30 percent higher production output than previous models and automatic waste removal during cutting. With knife speeds up to 45 cycles per minute, the POLAR 137 XT features OptiKnife, with an extended operating life and greater cutting accuracy than its predecessors, while offering advanced safety features. RR Donnelley Commercial Press Plant has been in existence in San Diego since 1910, and offers full-service printing needs for customers both locally and nationally.
Walker Printing Steps Up Production with Postpress Equipment from Heidelberg
When Walker Printing, Montgomery, Ala., needed to boost the productivity of its bindery to keep pace with growing demand, the company turned to Heidelberg for superior stitching, folding and cutting solutions. Late last year, the company installed a Stitchmaster ST 350 saddlestitcher and a Stahlfolder TH 82 4-4-4 pallet-fed folder, and accessorized its POLAR 115 X guillotine cutter with an RA-4 jogger. The fully automated stitcher and folder replace older, less efficient machines, while the POLAR jogger and counter stacker enable truer cuts and reduce operator fatigue. Company Owner and President Taylor Blackwell is especially pleased with the ST 350's extensive automation and fast production speeds. Established in 1940, Walker Printing is a long-time Heidelberg customer with an all-Heidelberg press lineup that includes a 4-color Speedmaster XL 105, a 6-color SM 74 with aqueous coater, a 1-color SORDZ, a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 and a 2-color Speedmaster SM 52. The company also operates an existing pair of Stahlfolders. The second-generation, family-owned commercial printer employs 65, and serves a customer base comprised of national religious ministries, state government entities, associations and nonprofit groups.
Myprint Paces Revenue Growth with New Press and Folder from Heidelberg
Myprint Corp., Irvine, Calif., recently augmented its busy pressroom with a Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46-2. The company also added a Stahlfolder B30 folder to its bindery. The installations were intended to boost capacity after the 30 million dollar company and long-time Heidelberg customer succeeded in doubling its revenues over the past three years, growing eight million dollars in the past 12 months alone. Plant Manager Bill Hardy, who recommended the new press and folder and was responsible for integrating them into the Myprint operation, says the Heidelberg press and folder are both easy to run and easy to train on, with little time lost to technical problems. When Heidelberg expertise is needed, "Heidelberg sales and support personnel are always knowledgeable, capable, professional and prompt," Hardy says. The new equipment joins a 2-color Speedmaster SM 102 with aqueous coater, an existing Quickmaster 46-2 equipped with envelope feeder, two existing B30 folders, and a 40" POLAR 115 EMC cutting system, already in operation at Myprint. The company also has 5- and 6-color 40" capabilities. Of the company's 140 employees, 18 work in the pressroom and 12 in the bindery. Myprint serves a national customer base composed of clients in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, entertainment and hospitality, financial services, educational, retail goods and services, and technology industries.
"You Can't Buy Better": Williams Printing Cuts to the Chase with New POLAR 92 X Paper Cutter
When it came time to replace a 10-year-old paper cutter, Williams Printing in Rural Hall, NC wasted no time installing a POLAR 92 X guillotine cutter from Heidelberg. "POLAR cutters are the best in the business," says company President Kevin Williams, citing a four-fold increase in cutting productivity since the new machine was installed. "You can't buy a better or more durable cutter. We expect to run our new POLAR 92 X over the next 10-15 years with minimal service." The new cutter joins a second POLAR cutter in Williams' postpress department. The programmable high-speed cutter fits Williams Printing's medium-size format range (50 x 70 centimeters) and is able to cut semi-finished and finished products made of paper, cardstock, paperboard and plastic foils. Operators at Williams now rely on OptiKnife technology on the POLAR 92 X, and are seeing quality results. The company, which employs 15, provides a primarily regional customer base with a wide variety of high-quality, commercially printed products.
Service Printers Inc. Kicks Production Up a Notch with New Speedmaster CD 74
Service Printers Inc. recently crowned its all-Heidelberg pressroom with a 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 equipped with aqueous coater, Instant Gate, Axis Control and Prepress Interface. The new press, which replaces a 5-color Speedmaster 74, joins a lineup that already includes a 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 with aqueous coater, 2-color Speedmaster SM 74 perfector, a 4-color Heidelberg GTO, a pair of Heidelberg cylinder presses and a Quickmaster 46 press. Vice President Keith McGee reserves high praise for the CD 74's ease of use, and credits the new press with helping the company achieve a 30 percent increase in productivity. "The CD 74 gives us an opportunity to speed production and take advantage of new market opportunities based on its larger sheet size and ability to handle heavier stocks. On top of that, installation and training went extremely smoothly." With respect to service and support after the sale, McGee awards Heidelberg an A-plus grade. "Heidelberg technicians are knowledgeable, cooperative and efficient, and their response times are quick. We couldn't be more pleased." Service Printers Inc. also operates three POLAR cutters, two Stahlfolder folders, and a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 270. Established in 1962, the third-generation, family-owned commercial printer and long-time Heidelberg customer has 50 plus employees, and operates from a newly expanded and remodeled facility located in Flowood, Miss.
PS Print Experiences Cost Savings with Addition of Stitchmaster ST 450 from Heidelberg
Chris Strabley, project manager of PS Print, LLC, calls his new Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 450 saddlestitcher a "blessing." The stitcher has enhanced the speed, efficiency and automation of the postpress department for the Oakland, Calif. shop since its installation late last year. More importantly, the shop can now do 95 percent of its binding work in-house, which equals cost savings for both PS Print and its customers. "The whole process is much cleaner and more efficient than what we had before," Strabley said. "We have much more control over the binding process by minimizing outsourcing, which is a relief." The Stitchmaster ST 450 runs just beside PS Print's offset press, minimizing the time it takes to get jobs from the press into customers' hands. The saddlestitcher operates at up to 14,000 cycles per hour, and offers automatic presetting and synchronization of feeders, trimmer and stacker, all from a control touchscreen. PS Print is almost entirely Internet-based, with a large product line of four-color work available for orders across the U.S. and Canada. The company runs Heidelberg POLAR cutting equipment as well as Stahlfolder equipment, and plans to expand its bindery offerings from Heidelberg in 2008. Along with its sister plant located in Bethlehem, Pa., the company has more than 120 employees.
Heritage Printing Service Installs Heidelberg KAMA Die Cutter
After the successful installation of a new 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 with perfector and aqueous coater last fall, Heritage Printing Service focused on upgrading its bindery. The Richmond, Va. shop now proudly owns a Heidelberg KAMA TS 74-60 automatic die cutter with increased sheet dimension. Company President Bill Miles said that training is still underway for foil stamping, but that the shop is already successfully using the machine for die cutting and embossing. "This technology is a completely different animal," Miles said. "We are excited about the options that are now available to our customers with the KAMA." The half-format KAMA automatic die cutter system fits perfectly into Heritage Printing's existing equipment lineup, running jobs straight from the Speedmaster CD 74 press. As a flexible, entry-level die cutting system, the KAMA was a natural choice for Miles and the Heritage Printing team. The die cutter is already helping produce quality brochures, advertising collateral and general commercial work for customers in the Richmond area. The all-Heidelberg shop is more than 70 years old, and is a family-run business that has relied on Heidelberg equipment since it was founded.
Editorial Contact:
Manning Selvage & Lee
Rebecca Harbin
404-870-6825
E-mail: rebecca.harbin@mslpr.com
